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City Council President Michael Hancock believes the measure to be extremely important to the city and the Denver schools. Denver schools Superintendent Michael Bennett agrees, stating that Denver schools e...

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper has introduced the Preschool Matters plan that will greatly impact future Denver schools students, if passed by voters in the November election. The early childhood education plan is endorsed by the mayor and other Denver officials.

City Council President Michael Hancock believes the measure to be extremely crucial to the city and the Denver schools. Denver schools Superintendent Michael Bennett agrees, stating that Denver schools educators will do anything they can to pass the measure in November.

The plan was created from suggestions submitted to the mayor by his activity force, which was charged with increasing preschool access for Denvers young children. Hickenlooper believes that access to top quality and cost-effective preschools is critical to the citys future, as well as an vital component of enhancing the Denver thumbnail schools.

Documented studies show that preschool is 1 of the very best investments for any city and its youth. A current study in California by the Rand Corporation located that a return on investment of $2.62 in savings could be garnered for every single dollar spent on preschool. The savings is realized through decrease juvenile crime and high school dropout costs saving dollars for both Denver and the Denver schools, as properly as graduating much better educated Denver schools students.

Other studies have shown that the Denver schools children will be far more likely to read by the third grade, much less most likely to need remedial education, and much more most likely to graduate high school and enter college.

Preschool Matters, which will significantly benefit the Denver schools and their students, will price $12 million annually. The mayor is asking for an increase in sales tax that will equal 12 cents on each $100 of purchases within the city. If passed, the Denver sales tax will still be highly competitive with other Front Range communities.

Funding of the program covers:

Tuition Credits Open to kids only for the year prior to getting into kindergarten. Youngsters are normally 4-year-olds, and the system may be utilised only for 1 year. Credits are distributed based on require and the good quality of the preschool plan selected.

Outreach and Enrollment.

A High quality Improvement Method for denver it support preschool providers and programs.

Administration of the program by a nonprofit organization that nevertheless should be created.

Internal and External Accountability, Measurement and Reporting Covers the quantity of children enrolled in preschool, the quantity of good quality rated providers, the plan finances, and the academic success of the children who attend preschool.

Preschool Matters is related to a defeated California measure, known as Proposition 82. Though both applications expand preschool for 4-year-olds, the California measure was a lot broader in application and based on an income tax improve only for incomes of $400,000 or far more annually as compared to Denvers sales tax increase for every person, creating person contributions minimal. The California measure also was in competition with an option supplying by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Opponents to Preschool Matters think there already are opportunities in location through the Denver schools that might be utilised to expand early childhood education. They think the mayor is only developing a bureaucracy with administrative overhead. Opponents, as effectively as all Denver voters, will have their say in November.